Skip to main content
Log in

Transport Mechanisms in Iontophoresis. II. Electroosmotic Flow and Transference Number Measurements for Hairless Mouse Skin

  • Published:
Pharmaceutical Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that bulk fluid flow by electroosmosis is a significant factor in iontophoresis and may provide an explanation for the observed enhanced transport of neutral species. In a charged membrane, the solution carries a net charge and thus experiences a volume force in an electric field, which causes volume flow (J v in the direction of counterion flow. J v data were obtained for hairless mouse skin (HM) as a function of pH, concentration of NaCl, current density, and time. Volume flow was measured by timing fluid movement in horizontal capillary tubes attached to the anode and cathode (Ag/AgCl) compartments. By convention, the sign of J v is taken as positive when the volume flow is in the same direction as positive current flow. Experimental mean values were in the range 0 to + 37 µl/cm2 hr, depending on the experimental conditions. Volume flow of this magnitude is large enough to have significant impact on flow of both ions and neutral species. The positive sign for J v indicates that HMS is negative in the pH range studied (3.8–8.3). J v decrease with time, decrease with increasing NaCl concentration, are much lower at pH 3.8 than at the higher pH's, and increase with current density. Effective transference numbers, determined from membrane potential measurements, showed significant pH dependence, consistent with a small negative charge on the membrane at mid pH's and charge reversal around pH 4. Both electrical resistance and J v data indicate changes in transport properties occur when HMS is subjected to an electric field.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. M. J. Pikal. Pharm. Res. 7:118–126 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  2. D. G. Miller. Chem. Rev. 60:15–37 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  3. N. Lakshminarayanaiah. Chem. Rev. 65:491–565 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Y. Kobatake, M. Yuasa, and H. Fujita. J. Phys. Chem. 72:1752–1757 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  5. H. Rein. Z. Biol. 81:125–140 (1924).

    Google Scholar 

  6. D. J. Ives and G. J. Janz. Reference Electrodes, Academic Press, New York, 1961, Chap. 4.

    Google Scholar 

  7. H. E. Gunning and A. R. Gordon. J. Chem. Phys. 10:126–131 (1942).

    Google Scholar 

  8. M. Spiro. Determination of transference numbers. In A. Weissberger (ed.), Physical Methods of Organic Chemistry, Part IV, 3rd ed, Interscience, New York, 1960, pp. 3049–3111.

    Google Scholar 

  9. G. Scatchard. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 75:2883–2887 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  10. R. A. Robinson and R. H. Stokes, Electrolyte Solutions, 2nd ed, Academic Press, New York, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  11. M. J. Pikal and D. G. Miller. J. Phys. Chem. 74:1337–1344 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  12. D. G. Miller. J. Phys. Chem. 70:2639–2659 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  13. R. Burnette and B. Ongpipattanakul. J. Pharm. Sci. 76:765–773 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  14. M. J. Pikal and S. Shah. Pharm. Res. 7:222–229 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  15. M. J. Pikal and G. E. Boyd. J. Phys. Chem. 77:2918–2924 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  16. R. Burnette and D. Marrero. J. Pharm. Sci. 75:738–743 (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  17. R. R. Burnette and B. Ongpipattanakul. J. Pharm. Sci. 77:132–137 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

  18. R. R. Burnette and T. M. Bagniefski. J. Pharm. Sci. 77:492–497 (1988).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Pikal, M.J., Shah, S. Transport Mechanisms in Iontophoresis. II. Electroosmotic Flow and Transference Number Measurements for Hairless Mouse Skin. Pharm Res 7, 213–221 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015857608850

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015857608850

Navigation